Ohio House Advances Bill Updating Local Government Hiring Mandates

The Ohio House of Representatives has advanced a bill that removes residency requirements for two leadership positions in the state’s local governments.

Ohio State Representatives David Thomas and Josh Williams recently announced that House Bill 428 passed the House unanimously, and now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

The legislation removes residency requirements for the city director of public services and the city director of public safety positions in local Ohio government. As the statement issued by the Ohio House of Representatives noted, current Ohio law obliges city mayors to appoint a director of public services and director of public safety.

In addition, the selected appointee is required to reside in the city at the time of their appointment or become a resident within six months. House Bill 428 seeks to eliminate this requirement “empowering local governments and removing unnecessary barriers to hiring,” the statement read, adding that cities would still have the authority to impose a residency requirement if they choose to do so.

“H.B. 428 answers the simple question, who is best able to determine the most qualified employee, the Statehouse or City Hall,” said Thomas, in a statement. “This is a good local control bill that cleans up outdated language for our local communities.”

The legislation “is about giving our communities and local leaders the flexibility to hire the most qualified person for the job, without outside mandates tying their hands,” added Williams.

“In many smaller communities, the pool of candidates who meet strict residency requirements is limited. When we empower local leaders to hire the expertise their community needs, we even the playing field between small rural communities and major metropolitan areas with a deep talent base.”